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Ask reflective questions.
Bring lesson to a close.
Reflections:
1. I think the strongest aspect of my lesson was that every child was included in the song. I think it’s important for each child to feel included and that they are important. Giving each child an instrument and part made them feel this way.
2. I think the weakest link in my lesson was that I wasn’t sure if I should have a sound or instrument play for each word of the song. I was a little hesitant at the beginning of the lesson because I was unsure of how to assign the sounds.

Class Syllabus
https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1bzqZyxKVI3SXYJgWmGgOCAQEbxANHbz1bkhnTvxR6zM&hl=en&authkey=CLaZtJIM&pli=1#
Why the arts are more than a Luxary:
This assignment showed how important creativity is, and especially music. The creativity Crisis said: “The accepted definition of creativity is production of something original and useful, and that’s what’s reflected in the tests. There is never one right answer. To be creative requires divergent thinking (generating many unique ideas) and then convergent thinking (combining those ideas into the best result).” I liked this because it says that creativity is useful. These links all show how music is used not only to entertain, but educate people. In the case of the dreaded stairs, music was used to get people to use the stairs. This was a very neat way to incorporate music but also to get people more active.
The Why the Arts Are More Than A Luxury article said that Enriched environments are making kids smarter. With creativity, a reverse trend has just been identified and is being reported for the first time here: American creativity scores are falling. It’s sad to see that creativity is declining. We need to encourage creativity in our classrooms. The article also said that it’s too early to determine conclusively why U.S. creativity scores are declining. One likely culprit is the number of hours kids now spend in front of the TV and playing videogames rather than engaging in creative activities. Another is the lack of creativity development in our schools. One article said overwhelmed by curriculum standards, American teachers warn there’s no room in the day for a creativity class. Kids are fortunate if they get an art class once or twice a week. I think as a teacher we should try and incorporate music and creativity into different subjects so we can not only meet standards, but encourage creativity.
The video where the baby was dancing was really cute. I would assume that the baby was not taught to dance along to music, but just felt the urge to move to the beat. This shows that we are all born musical. The video where the students were taught opera said that the students’ reading, writing, and math test scores increased as a result of the program implemented in the school.
This assignment inspired me to include some type of music in my classroom when I become a teacher.
Teaching Presentation # 1
Musical Extensions of Children’s Literature
Hop on Pop
Written by: Dr. Seuss
Illustrated by:
Publisher: Beginner Books; First Edition (February 12, 1963)
ISBN-10: 039480029X
ISBN-13: 978-0394800295
Opportunities to learn:
Students will be able to use instruments during the lesson.
Students will be able to learn rhyming words.
This story can be used to teach students about different word sounds and endings.
Students will be given a specific part or word and whenever that word is read in the story, the student will use the instrument given to them to represent that word. Students will be given an opportunity to play on unpitched and/or pitched percussion instruments on key words, patterns, sound effects or to create a “mood” or musical “themes” for characters.
Standard: 1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
Reflections:
1. The strongest part of my lesson I think would be that it was a Dr. Seuss book. Most children are familiar with Dr. Seuss which makes the lesson fun. This lesson is fun becauseeach page has words that all end with the same sound. You can use instruments as well as use this lesson to learn word sounds.
2. The weakest part of the lesson I think was that it was a little difficult to figure out which words in the book I was going to assign sounds to.
3. In the future I might choose a different book to use instruments with where specific words are repeated so that students will be able to play their instrument more often. I do like the idea of using instruments with a book.
Teaching #2
Singing with Children
Song: Itsy Bitsy Spider**
Age level: Kindergarten- Students like singing about bugs, and using hand motions/instruments
Ideas for curricular connections: Students can learn about bugs and rain.
Teaching sequence: Encourage child-to-child interaction and taking turns.
Lesson:
Students will gather around in a circle and sit on the floor.
I will sing Itsy Bitsy Spider to students and have them sing with me the second time
Pass out instruments and show students how to use them.
Assign instruments for different words/sounds in the book.
Practice using instrument.
Sing song and have students use instruments during.
Have students take turns with different instruments.
Sing song a couple times.
Ask reflective questions.
Bring lesson to a close.
Reflections:
1. I think the strongest aspect of my lesson was that every child was included in the song. I think it’s important for each child to feel included and that they are important. Giving each child an instrument and part made them feel this way.
2. I think the weakest link in my lesson was that I wasn’t sure if I should have a sound or instrument play for each word of the song. I was a little hesitant at the beginning of the lesson because I was unsure of how to assign the sounds.
3. I think I’ll use this lesson in my classroom in the future because almost everyone knows “Itsy Bitsy Spider”. Having the students sing and play instruments to a song they are familiar with will make them more comfortable and open up. One thing I might change is maybe having the song playing on CD as background music as we sing.
Delicious Acct:**
http://delicious.com/rwamsle2#

Part 1:
I've always liked music growing up, and still do to this day. One song in particular that makes me cry is "butterfly kisses" by Bob Carlisle. This song always reminds me of my dad who died when I was 12 years old. Everytime I hear it, I think about how that was going to be the song I danced to with him at my wedding one day. Just listening to the lyrics, and also the music is just so moving. It makes me think about all the memories I got to share with him, but then it also makes me sad to think about all the things he is going to miss in my life. *ok, I have to end this story now because it's making me tear up just thinking about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmC3rJR7E98
Part 2:
I think classical music can play a big part in my future classroom. Even if we don't have a specific time set aside each day to sit and just listen to music, you can use it in different ways while teaching other lessons to help cover several subjects. For example, while students are in stations you can have classical music playing softly in the background, or you could even use classical music as a transition between different things. This would get students comfortable with classical music at an early age so hopefully they will be able to appreciate it growing up as well.

The Star Spangled-Banner song
http://www.songsforteaching.com/socialstudies/unitedstates/thestarspangledbanner.php
I liked this song because it is an easy and friendly way for students to learn this important song of our country. Good song for the 4th of July.
Santa Do You Know?
http://www.songsforteaching.com/mrsmusicent/santadoyouknow.php
I liked this one because it gives the option of hearing the vocal version as well as the instrumental version. The students would be able to hear the music alone as well as sing along.
I Am Thankful
http://www.songsforteaching.com/holiday/iamthankful.htm
I liked this one because it gives examples to students as to what all they should be thankful for not only on thanksgiving but all throughout the year.

lookin' good
Lookin' good, Ms Wamsley. :)

Early Childhood Music
Early childhood music is a valuable and necessary part of children’s’ lives because it positively affects the quality of their lives. It helps children bond emotionally and intellectually with others in creative expression in song, listening experience, and in rhythmic movement. Four key points in teaching philosophy of early childhood music are: all children are musical, all children can achieve basic music competence, the participation and modeling of parents and caregivers, regardless of their musical ability, is essential to a child's musical growth, and this growth is best achieved in a playful, non-performance-oriented learning environment which is musically rich, yet immediately accessible to the child's—and the adult's—participation. I learned that children are missing their key time to develop the singing voice during early childhood through playful activities and thoughtful adult guidance. The articles stated that in addition to developing the mental representation or audiation of music, the early childhood years are also critical for developing the ability to engage in music through singing and moving.
I think an early childhood music classroom should include curriculum of high quality and lasting value, including traditional children's songs, folk songs, classical music, and music from a variety of cultures, styles, and time periods.
Audiation: ”During primary music development, children create a "box" or mental representation to unscramble the aural images of music. This multifaceted, complex mental representation is known is "audiation". Audiation is paramount in importance because it is basic to all types of musical thinking. Without audiation, no musical growth can take place.” http://www.musictogether.com/ImportanceOfMusic
http://www.giml.org/mlt_audiation.php
The videos showed what the readings were talking about because it showed parents and other adults actively involved with children and music. The videos showed adults singing, dancing and playing instruments with children. It shows how happy the children are to have music in their lives. It’s important to have music in their lives both in and out of school.
http://www.musictogether.com/ArticlesArchive
http://music.wvu.edu/community_music_program/courses

http://www.musictogether.com/ArticlesArchive
http://music.wvu.edu/community_music_program/courses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfkSU2TzHLM&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/user/MusicTogether#p/u/6/71HG0q9vST0
http://www.youtube.com/user/MusicTogether#p/u/51/YVZrieP1Np
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcWtgEZeAG0
http://www.menc.org/about/view/early-childhood-education-position-statement

http://www.youtube.com/user/MusicTogether#p/u/5/_Uf4S_MVkU8
Mother of Child With Autism
I think this video was really touching. To hear that a child with Autism who does not speak at all responds to music in this way made me smile. My nephew has Autism and I definitely understand where the mother was coming from when she got emotional about seeing her child happy and engaged. Music is not just for "typical" people, but can benefit everyone. My nephew loves listening to music, and always makes me sing to him. He is able to talk some, but if you put some of his favorite songs/cartoons on his attention goes right to the song and he gets a huge smile on his face. Even though I'm not specializing in Special Ed, I think the music is important even in the general ed classroom. Hearing this woman's story makes me believe this even more

http://www.schoolmusicmatters.com/resources/videoresources.php
I chose option 4.: Advocacy.
The videos said that schools are getting rid of music and the arts and only keeping the “core subjects”, because of No Child Left Behind, schools can’t change this because they need to keep the government funding. Eventually music and art may cease to exist all together. Some organizations are donating funds and materials to help develop music programs in schools. Studies show that students with music education scored 63% higher in verbal and 44% higher on math tests than students who do not have music education. Arts programs help students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Students who have music education learn discipline which teaches students about working hard, staying focused, how to work with others, and learn a “new language”. Music gives them energy, and keeps them lively. Motivation of learner and teacher promotes learning. Music education helps with spatial IQ: music helps students with difficult math and science ideas.
*Music majors are the most likely group of college graduates to be admitted to medical school.
*66% of music majors who applied to med school were admitted.